News broke a few days ago that Beyonce, who has recently been named People Magazine’s World’s Most Beautiful Woman of 2012, will receive an award from the New York Association of Black Journalist on May 15th. The award is for her July 2011 Essence Magazine cover story, “Eat, Play, Love,” which documented her 9 month hiatus from the industry in 2010. – New York Daily News.

Beyonce described how her mother Tina Knowles is a role model for her, and how she struggled to receive a proper vacation that kept her away from the studio for a sufficient amount of time.

From the time my first solo album, Dangerously in Love, was released in 2003 until my last tour ended in February 2010, I’ve constantly been on the road, or in the studio, filming a movie, or doing promotions state-side or in Europe, Asia or Australia. After grinding for so long, I wanted a vacation — a real one. But getting it was going to take a little patience and hard work on my part.

Read More at Essence Magazine

 

Most of the responses I came across from commenters were that Beyonce didn’t have the proper education and career to win a journalism award. People believe that this honor is an insult to the hard working black journalists that are out there working for little to no money to make a living.

No, I’m stunned because the NYABJ proved with that one insulting decision that they are willing to kiss Beyonce’s ass at the expense of hard-working journalists everywhere.

In the last 24 hours, I’ve seen vicious comments about her lack of education and pesky plagiarism issues. And while they’re at it, horribly petty people decided to speculate again if she bleaches her skin and why her hair gets blonder and blonder, and if she gave birth to Blue Ivy – better yet, is she’s carrying around some sort of fake baby to throw people off the trail?

I never use this term, so forgive me in advance:

But this is a definite case of people “hating” on Beyonce.

Read More at Clutch Magazine

 

I respect Clutch Magazine for their interesting view of this issue. It’s not Beyonce’s fault (as are many other things) that she won this award, but the NYABJ’s. Why aren’t people pointing fingers at them? This is why the Bey Hive goes crazy (although unnecessary) any time someone comes for Beyonce. This woman is trying to live her life as a mother, singer, actress, and business woman, but any time she is praised people attack her.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I understand the frustrations that journalists have with honoring Beyonce with this award. As a amateur, black journalist trying to make my mark within the industry to secure a successful and happy future, I get that we aren’t properly respected or acknowledged. It does somewhat appear to be a slap in the face for all the efforts that writers produce.

How do you feel about Beyonce winning this award? Who would you fault? And don’t forget to read more at the links above.